Dan Da Dan: The Bold Anime Breaking Records Among American Adult Viewers

Dan Da Dan: A New Adult Anime Phenomenon

Dan Da Dan has taken the anime world by storm, earning its place as the most-watched anime among American adults aged 18 to 49. According to the latest Nielsen statistics, the show’s first season captivated an impressive 2.6 million viewers in the United States, dominating the adult animation scene from September 15, 2024, to April 6, 2025.

A Standout Hit in a Competitive Streaming Era

Nielsen’s rankings, which encompass both traditional television and top streaming platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu, confirm Dan Da Dan as the only anime breaking into the top charts for its target age group. Despite tough competition from acclaimed series like 'Arcane' (2.8 million viewers) and 'Devil Cry May' (2.3 million viewers), Dan Da Dan stands above the latter and trails closely behind 'Arcane' in popularity, but still lags behind animated powerhouse 'Invincible' with its 4 million viewers.

Simultaneous Global Release Amplifies Success

A major factor behind Dan Da Dan’s booming success has been its global, day-and-date release across the US and Japan. The series premiered on October 4, 2024, and became instantly available on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu, reaching American audiences simultaneously with its Japanese debut. Netflix went public with remarkable viewing data, reporting 3.5 million hours streamed in just the first week, translating to approximately 4.3 million viewers based on the initial two 48-minute episodes—a testament to its viral appeal.

Intriguing Plot and Artistic Brilliance

Dan Da Dan blends supernatural intrigue with comedic flair, following high schoolers Momo Ayase and Okarun as they unravel mysterious phenomena tied to aliens and the occult. The anime is praised for its vibrant animation and character design, crafted by Science SARU studio. Original manga creator Yukinobu Tatsu’s quirky storytelling and energetic direction by Fuga Yamashiro (and Abel Gongora’s participation) help transform each episode into a visual and emotional spectacle.

Cast, Crew, and Production

With Science SARU at the helm, the creative team behind Dan Da Dan ensures both faithfulness to the manga and fresh, cinematic energy. Season two, set to launch in summer, sees the return of director Fuga Yamashiro and co-director Abel Gongora, promising even more explosive action and supernatural mayhem.

What Critics and Fans Are Saying

Dan Da Dan has received enthusiastic praise from critics and anime fans alike, lauded for pushing genre boundaries and striking a balance between humor, horror, and adventure. Its intense popularity highlights a growing demand for adult-oriented anime series in the US streaming landscape.

Looking Ahead: The Evil Eye Movie and Season Two

Before the hotly anticipated return of season two, audiences worldwide can experience the "DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye" theatrical event, featuring the first three episodes of the new season. This global movie release only cements Dan Da Dan’s status as a must-watch anime and a pop culture juggernaut in both the US and worldwide.